“Ok, but only on one condition.” Bobbi looked at Tina perplexed, this was something she was not expecting. “You have to put the girls away.” Tina said looking down at Bobbi’s breasts laughingly.

………………………………

Bette threw on her sunglasses and was juggling her bag and the plate of food from Alice in both hands. Grateful that she put on her glasses early as the sun bouncing in the hallway was a stark contrast from the dark and reclusive room she emerged from. “Hey, Big D, I got another plate for you. I think this one’s a casserole.” Bette said placing the plate on the counter for the large security guard, unlike Bette he loved any and all foods, especially foods from Alice.

“Aww, thanks Momma. You sure you don’t want any of this.” he said in a deep voice laced with anticipation, already unwrapping the plate not really caring whether or not it was cold.

“No, I’m good.” she said already halfway out the door and heading straight for her car.

Bette arrived at home and dropped her bag by the door, not having the energy to place it in it’s rightful place, much like everything she used nowadays. Lately coming home seemed to be more of a chore. Like just being at home made her feel like she was alone and she rightly deserved every bit of lonesome she encountered. Even still she missed the laughter of her friends, she missed the careless days they shared, and fun filled nights that seemed to revitalize her for the upcoming week. The days before she knew about Justine’s indiscretions are what stuck out the most, those days she held Tina with no guilt behind her. Now all she did was spend her days avoiding sleep and trying to create something that didn’t always sound like a slow and depressing dirge.

Bette sat down at her computer to afraid to go to sleep and unable to drag herself into studio. She was looking at all of the emails she’d been avoiding. Some from friends who knew she was upset, a couple from artists, and quite a few from her record company. Bette was still dodging meetings from her record company, still wanting to know when and or if she was still going to Philadelphia. As she was sitting there staring past the screen into nothing, her computer indicated that she had a new email. It was from the airline she had on electronic stand by. She’d off and on again decided to follow Tina after she heard from Alice telling her she was in Texas, El Paso to be exact. She knew where Tina was heading it was no mystery to her. But she kept deciding against herself on whether or not she should go. Question after question dragged down her decision along with his friends doubt and insecurity. Still she, wanted to make sure Tina was dealing alright. Something in her told her Tina was going through her own personal hell. But how could she let Tina free herself of the depression she caused her. Definitely not by being by her side, right? Or maybe she could just start slow and rebuild their friendship? But based on what, lies, mistrust and deceit?

She started to hit the “remind me later” button. There was no way she could go to Texas and apologize for something she did out of love. But still she was her friend and she deserved a real explanation for her actions and the chance to voice her reasoning for the whole situation. Just then her house phone rang and it was a number she didn’t recognize, with an area code of 903. She angrily picked up the phone and shouted

“I’m tired of you fucking telemarketers calling all hours of thenight. Trying to sell me some bullshit ear wax remover. Do me and yourself a favor and get a life or go fuck yourself!” she hung up the phone angrily and plopped back down at her computer. Just as Bette felt eyes falling and knowing she was about to nod off at the computer soon, she heard her phone indicate that she had a new text message. Angrily she thought it might’ve been Alice wanting to know whether or not she was eating and trying to stay together despite her loss of friends.

Bette picked up the phone and she didn’t recognize the number at all, but that wasn’t what held her attention so sternly. It was the simple and small question posed on her screen, that read

TBC……………………………..